Volvo shows electric car safety leadership at the auto show in Detroit

Detroit, Mich. -- (Jan. 9, 2011) By displaying a crashed Volvo C30 Electric in its stand at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Volvo Car Corporation will take a unique, very visual approach to future safety.

"We are the first car maker in the world to show what a truly safe electric car looks like after a crash," says Stefan Jacoby, President & CEO of Volvo Cars.

Keeping the high voltage batteries and cables entirely intact after a collision is vital for safety as this kind of power system becomes more popular with buyers. Volvo's crash tested C30 Electric in the Volvo stand shows how it can be done. Even though the car has been subjected to a very demanding 40 mph (64 km/h) off-set frontal test, the key electric components of the car are undamaged.

"This is of utmost importance not only to the people riding in an electric car, but also to for example first responders" says Stefan Jacoby. "We note that not everyone that now launches or is in the process of launching electric cars are approaching the safety challenges as we are. But Volvo will never compromise on our stringent safety demands," Jacoby continued.

At a press conference in the Detroit show on Tuesday, Volvo Cars will show the car in detail, thus being the first car manufacturer displaying a crashed electric car an international motor show.

More Volvo

Inspired by contemporary, progressive Scandinavian lifestyle and design as well as iconic elements from the past, the elegant new Volvo Concept Coupé is the first of a series of three concept cars that reveal the design possibilities created by the company’s new Scalable Product Architecture ...